FAMILY. 
URSIDAE. 
Fam. Cu.—Toes distinctly separated, five on each foot; walk plantigrade ; coecum wanting. The sectorial teeth and the 
molars behind them tuberculated. 
The family of the bears is characterized by the plantigrade walk, usually naked soles, except 
in Ailurus, (if this properly belongs to the family.) The teeth are the same in number with 
the Canidae, although their more carnivorous character is shown by the tuberculated molars. 
The sectorial or carnassial teeth of the Canidae and Felidae, with their cutting and compressed 
crowns, are here replaced by a broad tooth, the crown studded with tubercles. 
There are two well marked groups, or sub-families of some authors—the one containing the 
true bears, the other the smaller, long-tailed species. They may be distinguished into Ursinae, 
or bears proper, of large size, clumsy form, very short tail; and Sub-wrsinae, the species of small 
bears, with long tail and moderate size. To the former belongs Ursus; to the latter, Procyon, 
Nasua, Cercoleptes, &c. 
